Surprising Age Gaps in Films and TV That We Can't Ignore

Denzel Washington and Kelly Reilly

The film *Flight* stars Denzel Washington and Kelly Reilly as a couple navigating complex personal challenges. Denzel plays an alcoholic pilot who survives a plane crash and grapples with his addiction while trying to build a relationship with Kelly’s character, a recovering addict he meets during his recovery. Interestingly, the age difference between the two characters isn’t addressed as a plot point or even seen as an obstacle in their relationship

This lack of focus on their age gap reflects a broader trend in Hollywood, where significant age differences between romantic leads are often normalized without much thought. Have you ever noticed how rare it is to see a female lead who’s older than her male counterpart unless it’s a central part of the story? *Flight* is no exception, reinforcing the industry’s tendency to overlook such dynamics unless they’re explicitly tied to the narrative. This subtle yet pervasive pattern continues to shape how relationships are portrayed on screen.